Cariari, Heredia

Due to its close proximity to San José, the capital of Costa Rica, Cariari offers several advantages for the traveler.

First and foremost, this small suburban town boasts a wealth of activities for the visitor as well a well-developed infrastructure of shops, hotels, museums, golf courses and restaurants. The town has a nice view of the nearby mountains and it is serviced by the Juan Santamaria International Airport.

Not only will you have more options for flights into the nation’s largest airport, you will also likely receive better prices.

Cariari is an ideal town to begin or end your trip to Costa Rica for several reasons.

In addition to being convenient to get to and from the airport, it is one of the best places to enjoy a Costa Rica golf experience.

You will be close to San Jose but you will still enjoy a more relaxed pace as Cariari is not nearly as busy as the capital. It is located in the province of Heredia, Costa Rica, an area that benefits from a comfortable year-round climate.

A Tropical Golf Experience

One great way to enjoy your time in Cariari is to spend a few hours on the golf course.

While skillfully directing, or chasing, the little white ball around the famous course at the Cariari Country Club, you can take advantage of the fresh morning or evening air as you view the beautiful scenery. The course, designed by George Fazio, a world-famous gold architect, features Bermuda grass and greens and narrow fairways. It was founded in 1973 and has since been a destination golf course for many international golfers.

The course is located at 1,000 meters above sea level, which allows the area to take advantage of cool mountain breezes much of the year. As you golf, you will be surrounded by the rich flora and fauna of the area, including a profusion of flowering plants and brightly-colored birds and butterflies. In addition to the narrow fairways, the course is highlighted by winding streams, multiple sand traps and a hilly terrain.

Once you’ve had your fill of golf, you can check out the other amenities of the country club. These include an on-site gym, swimming and several indoor and outdoor tennis courts. You can work on your tennis game with the help of an experienced coaching staff.

More Fun Activities

Cariari is known for an ambience of relaxation.

Whether you are just beginning your trip, or are returning from an active adventure, you can relax at a spa and be pampered with a facial or a full-body massage. The Mio Derma Costa Rican spa caters to international travelers with a variety of treatments for your skin, hair, body, hands and feet.

The town of Cariari also has fun activities for children, while adults and singles can head out to one of the many clubs.

The area is also known for a nice mix of world-class museums that are fun and educational to visit. You can check out exhibits on popular culture, history, natural sciences, jade, and contemporary art. The history museums curate the past of Costa Rica from Pre-Columbian times to the present with an assortment of archeological artifacts.

Map of the Area

Click to enlarge map - Map of the Area

A Choice of Amenities

By staying in Cariari you will have a large choice of hotels to choose from.

These will include modern hotels with all of the latest features, as well as quaint hotels with an abundance of charm and character.

You will also have your choice of restaurants where you can sample the local cuisine or select from international dishes.

Finally, there will be a multitude of interesting shopping stores for such things as jewelry and unique souvenirs of your visit to this tropical gem.